The father of Marquette Student Government presidential candidate Dan Calandriello III is very proud of his son, whom he calls honest and level-headed.

From living in Orland Park, Ill., to being a student at Marquette, Dan Calandriello II said his son is consistent, has a lot of integrity and is dedicated to what he believes.

"When he says he's going to do something, he does it," said Dan Calandriello II.

"He's a person that I think that if (students) do elect him as president, they'll be very, very happy," he said. "I don't believe that the student body could go wrong by electing him as president."

Dan Calandriello III and Kristen Kamm are running for MUSG president and executive vice president, respectively, in an election to be held March 22, the Wednesday after spring break.

The presidential hopeful, a junior in the College of Business Administration, said he believes in a "get down and dirty" approach with his constituents. Calandriello wants students to know he is approachable and students can come and talk to him about their concerns.

"When people have those utensils or tools that can make the change, they do," Calandriello said. He added loves Marquette because of the family atmosphere and how "everyone helps each other out."

Calandriello described himself as having a "melting pot" of experience. He been a MUSG senator for three years, O'Donnell Hall for one term and the College of Business Administration for two terms. He has been involved in the Residence Hall Association, is a YMCA mentor, a leadership program assistant with the Office of Student Development and a member of the MUSG Student Allocation committee.

Calandriello said his leadership style is quick to act, which has its pros and cons; however, he said he surrounds himself with positive people, like Kamm, in order to make sure he does not act too quickly or emotionally.

If elected, Calandriello said he would like to minimize what he called the huge wall between the administration and students in order to give "common students" a voice.

Another item Calandriello said he wants to achieve is putting a student on the board of trustees to help build trust and a relationship between the two entities.

Calandriello said he believes MUSG should serve the students.

"MUSG should go to you," he said. "You shouldn't have to go to MUSG."

Kamm, a junior in the College of Health Sciences, said she her and Calandriello's experiences complement each other.

Kamm said she has been involved in many activites, though she does not have MUSG experience. She said she is a tour guide and has been on both the Winter Flurry committee and the new student orientation staff.

Calandriello said Kamm will bring programming experience to the team.

"I think that Kristen will be an excellent addition to the MUSG executive staff as well as become a more influential leader throughout Marquette," said College of Communication freshman Christine Donahue, who worked with Kamm on the Winter Flurry committee. "She has always put the needs of others before hers, and her devotion to her tasks and this university is far more than anyone I have met."

Donahue, who is a member of the campaign, said the pair is set apart from the other team that is running because they have a plan of attack.

A challenge in the election for Calandriello and Kamm will be their opposing team's involvement in the Greek community, Calandriello said.

The advantage for the pair, Calandriello said, is their diversity in activities.

"We can relate to all students," he said.